3D Modeling Apparatus with Inkjet Supply for High-Definition Resin Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D modeling technologies using photocurable resins or powders face challenges in achieving high-definition object formation within a reasonable time, with methods like UV ink or powder resulting in slow processing and low definition.
Innovation Solution
A 3D modeling apparatus that combines a support body, an illumination mechanism, and a supply mechanism to cure resin material with an energy ray, while simultaneously supplying a different material for coloring or functional properties, allowing for high-definition object formation quickly by using the resin material as the main constituent and alternating illumination and material supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If UV ink or powder material is used as the main constituent, then the material can be supplied for coloring, but the processing speed becomes slow and definition is low
Solution Approach 1:
The material supply system is segmented into multiple independent color channels (CMYK) with separate nozzles for each color. This allows simultaneous discharge of multiple colors and enables high-speed processing while maintaining high definition through precise control of each color layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material state from powder or thick UV ink to a liquid resin material that can be precisely controlled. By adjusting parameters such as material viscosity, discharge pressure, and curing energy, the system achieves both high processing speed and high definition in the formed object.
2Manufacturing precision
If thin layers of resin smaller than 10 μm are used, then material precision is improved, but the time to form the 3D object increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous material supply and continuous energy ray irradiation without interruption between layers. The liquid resin material flows continuously while being cured by the energy ray, eliminating the time-consuming steps of traditional layer-by-layer processing and significantly reducing formation time while maintaining precise layer thickness control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of the liquid resin material from liquid state to solidified state through energy ray irradiation. This phase change allows the material to be supplied in a fluid state for easy shaping and then quickly hardened to maintain precise dimensional accuracy, resolving the contradiction between thin layer precision and processing speed.
3Manufacturing precision
If photocurable resin is used as the main material, then high definition is achieved, but the processing time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary material preparation by maintaining the resin material in a liquid state with optimized viscosity before processing. The multi-color liquid materials are pre-mixed and ready for immediate discharge, eliminating preparation time during the forming process and reducing overall processing time while maintaining high definition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic discharge of liquid resin material combined with periodic energy ray irradiation. This rhythmic pattern of material supply and curing allows continuous processing at high speed while ensuring complete curing of each layer for high definition, resolving the time-defiction contradiction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the rapid formation of high-definition 3D objects with precise control over layer thickness and flatness, using a photocurable resin as the primary material and inkjet-discharged materials for coloring or functional properties, improving upon the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a resin material R that is cured by energy of an energy ray UVL
Implementation Method 2
an ink jet head 30 that discharges ink I onto a surface of the cured layer R1
Data Source
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AI summary
A 3D modeling apparatus (100) includes: a support body (15) which supports a modeled object formed by laminating a resin material that is cured by energy of an energy ray; an illumination mechanism (20) which illuminates the resin material with the energy ray, on the basis of image data of laminated cross-sections which constitutes 3D data of an object to be modeled which is an object of modeling, in order to form the modeled object; and a supply mechanism (30) which supplies a material that constitutes a part of the modeled object and is different from the resin material, to the resin material that is cured as being illuminated by the illumination mechanism, on the basis of the cross-section image data.